Philadelphia Flower Show kicks off today

Have you ever wished to see the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, but don’t want to deplete your life savings and sit still for a 10-hour flight?

The 2012 Philadelphia Flower Show provides a rich, cultural experience with this year’s theme, “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.”

View full sizePhoto providedJoe Kiefer stands at his Philadelphia Flower Show display ahead of the event, which opens today.

The Philadelphia Flower Show, a distinctive event in Philadelphia for 182 years, is the largest indoor flower show worldwide. The week-long exhibit features full-scale gardens and floral displays created by professional landscapers and florists, including horticultural and educational organizations. These designers spend years perfecting their creations, often mastering the proper way to force certain flowers and plants to bloom in time for the show. This year, exhibitors from across the United States bring their talents representative of the beautiful, Hawaiian islands to the city of Philadelphia.

Joe Kiefer, a horticulturist from Franklinville and manager of the family business Triple Oaks Nursery, Florist, and Herb Garden has participated in the Flower Show since he was a child.

“I used to go with my mom when I was a kid. She would give talks and I’d help her carry in all the plants,” Kiefer said. “Now I give my own talks.”

Kiefer has a booth in The Marketplace where he will be selling “the hearty landscape plants that are blooming now,” such as camellia in bloom, edgeworthia, daphne, and hellebores. Kiefer will educate visitors on these plants during his talk on March 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the lecture hall.

Guests will also experience everything from the sounds of waves crashing and a Hawaiian rainforest filled with palms and bamboo, to a floral design representing the traditional Hawaiian hula dance, to a sunroom dedicated to Hawaii — displaying memorabilia, tropical plants, and a wealth of ferns from the islands.

This year’s Philadelphia Flower Show will feature a number of other events including a Man Cave with big-screen TVs, sports activities and a bar, a Family Lounge with children’s and family activities and the introduction of “The Lorax” movie, and a culinary experience allowing guests access to a new guest chef, celebrities, a Hawaiian-themed VIP restaurant, and special Hawaiian cocktails.

Guests are also invited to participate in the Flower Show’s Theme Nights — Monday’s LGBT Night, Wedding Wednesday, Girls Night Out and a celebration with an affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Friday.

Take home a piece of the Flower Show — as the official shop, The Marketplace, Meadowbrook Farm Store and The Hawaiian Village will be selling items such as 2012 Flower Show clothing and gifts, garden furniture and tools, quality plants, and handmade crafts paying tribute to the Hawaiian people.

All proceeds, including tickets and sponsorship contributions, support The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its acclaimed greening programs.

The Philadelphia Flower show marks “the beginning of nursery season,” said Kiefer. “When you leave the flower show it’s like you’re heading right into Spring.”